Are you looking for details of Black Country ancestors, buildings,
places, streets? This page may be for you, send me your query and
I will post it. Unless you state otherwise your email address will
not appear on the site, emails will be directed to me and forwarded
to you.

Do you have a photograph you want to share? Do you want to identify
the characters, locations or events in a photograph, then email
me with details and I will add it to the page. Your email address
will not appear on the page and I will handle all enquiries.

Although the River Stour has played an important role in the
early industrial development of the area there is very little published
information or firm local knowledge concerning the river or its
history. Hopefully this article will put that right.

A short article, with photographs, giving a short biography
of a Brierley Hill born miner. Benjamin's story is typical of many
Black Country folk. Article is by Mike Pearson, material supplied
by Peter and Linda Lamberg

Another article from issue 38/3 of the Society magazine. This
time it documents the crash landing during World War 2 of a Royal
Canadian Airforce Halifax bomber in Adelaide Street, Brierley Hill,
by Ken Russell.

Was Henry flogged against the wishes of the Wolverhampton Justices?
Or was flogging the right punishment for someone who absented himself
from work? You decide, this article is by Tony Standley who was
employed at Stafford Prison for 14 years.

Bailey was prison engineer for Stafford Gaol from 1847 until
1871. Stafford Gaol held many Black Country folk who found themselves
on the wrong side of the law. The author Anne Bayliss is his gg
grandaughter. The article first appeared in Staffordshire
History. It is reproduced with their kind permission.

A refreshing new article linking Dud Dudley with Abraham Darby.
This is a slightly more in-depth article to one that appeared in
the latest issue of The Blackcountryman magazine (issue 38/3) and
is by Carl Higgs

Alvin Smith has spent many hours researching the facts surrounding
the life of Smethwick cycle manufacturer Major Nicholls. With images
from Alvin and MN owner Josh King, this is the only biography of
Major

The drawings continue, remember the beermats from days of yore
and the TV interest to try and identify the author(s)? Well more
images have been found and some are included on this page. Budding
Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marples please give me your views.

Tells the story of John Blackham, the founder of the PSA Movement
(Pleasant Sunday Afternoon), which spread across the country and
spawned further similar organisations, some of which are still in
existence today. An article originally published in 1969 in The
Blackcountryman.

This article spread across 3 issues of The Blackcountryman (without
the photos and genealogies now incorporated). A massive piece of
work, well researched, many references for the serious student,
yet readable. We hope you enjoy it.

An article by Tony Standley from the Staffordshire History Group,
reproduced with permission. Stafford Gaol is important in Black
Country History as a place where many of those who committed serious
offences in the Black Country, or were held awaiting trial at Stafford
Assize court.

Covering and area of several acres between Brierley Hill and
Old Hill, and bounded on the west by Netherton, and the east by
Cradley Heath, was Saltwells Colliery. Originally published in 1969
in Volume 1, Issue 4 of The Blackcountryman. The article gives an
insight into the working life of a miner.

The frontpage for a series of articles planned for the next
year, hopefuly to encourage more people to resume or begin researching
their roots. There should be something in it for everyone, take
a look.